This year, Ashley Livaccari spent Super Bowl week working on exclusive experiences for partners and influencers tied to the New Orleans Saints.
As the corporate partnership project coordinator for both the Saints and Pelicans, she杏吧专区檚 at the center of high-profile partnerships that bring the action to life.
But Livaccari almost missed her path to game-day glamour. When she applied to the 杏吧专区, Livaccari had hoped to pursue another kinesiology concentration. When that program wasn杏吧专区檛 available, she had to pivot.
杏吧专区淚 didn杏吧专区檛 really know what sport management was, to be completely honest. But I杏吧专区檇 grown up around sports and was intrigued, so I just hopped in. I fell in love with the program almost immediately.杏吧专区
That program, B.S. in Kinesiology, Sport Management, laid the foundation for a thriving career in professional sports.
Learning and Living Sport Management
Though Livaccari was no stranger to sports, the business side of things was a new world. UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 sport management program became her gateway to understanding how everything fit together.
杏吧专区淚 loved learning about all the different sides of the industry 杏吧专区 operations, law, marketing, management 杏吧专区 and getting to explore which path felt right for me,杏吧专区 she says.
But Livaccari wasn杏吧专区檛 content with just learning in the classroom. She knew real experience would make the difference.
So, she went beyond the books, cold calling the Ragin杏吧专区 Cajuns Athletic Department to secure an internship. It paid off as she worked behind the scenes for three years, learning the ins and outs of the operational side of sports.
杏吧专区淕etting those hours in the field was really helpful in applying what I was learning,杏吧专区 says Livaccari.
Equally as valuable were the connections she made along the way.
杏吧专区淢y favorite part about the program was that it wasn't a huge school or huge classes. You kind of get to build relationships with everybody,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淵ou get to learn who they are and follow them through their careers. You keep those connections throughout the industry.杏吧专区
From College Intern to Corporate Partnership Coordinator
Livaccari credits her instructors for playing a major role in her transition from student to professional.
杏吧专区淭he faculty were very hands-on and helpful throughout. Some put me in contact with a lot of people when I was applying for jobs,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淭hey helped with interviews, applications, and things like that.杏吧专区
Her instructors also understood the demands of her internships, allowing her to balance her work in athletics with her coursework.
杏吧专区淚 was working in athletics, so sometimes games conflicted with class,杏吧专区 she explains. 杏吧专区淏ut my instructors knew I was pursuing a career in the field, so they worked with my schedule.杏吧专区
Livaccari杏吧专区檚 advice to future sport management students is simple: Get out there.
杏吧专区淎pply what you杏吧专区檙e learning. Do an internship. See which departments you like best,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淛ust get out in the field and gain the experience.杏吧专区
Ready to turn your passion for sports into a fulfilling career? Learn more about the sport management program 100% online.
